03 January 2010, Wednesday, AHS 1023

ENDOCRINE
SYSTEM
Munirah
binti Shaban
Department of Basic Health Sciences
Kulliyyah of Allied Health Sciences
International Islamic University Malaysia
Email: munirahshaban@gmail.com
Ext: 2644

OBJECTIVES
At the end of the session, the student should be able to
understand and define:

1. Introduction to the endocrine

system
Comparison of the endocrine and
nervous systems
Comparison
of
exocrine
and
endocrine glands

OBJECTIVES
At the end of the session, the student should be able to
understand and define:

2. Endocrine glands
Pituitary gland
Pineal gland
Thyroid gland
Parathyroid glands
Adrenal glands

In the slides that follow, we shall examine

the endocrine system that controls the
human body for the benefit of the human
being and that is a manifestation of the
wonder of creation, and we shall witness
together the creative art of Allah SWT.

Introduction to the endocrine

system:
Comparison of the endocrine and
nervous systems
Together, the nervous and endocrine
systems coordinate the functions of all
body systems.
How does the nervous system
achieve this?
through the use of nerve impulses and the
secretion of neurotransmitter substances that
either excite or inhibit the effectors.

Introduction to the endocrine

system:
Comparison of the endocrine and
nervous
Together, the
nervous systems
and endocrine systems
coordinate the functions of all body systems.
How does the endocrine system achieve
this control?
The endocrine system, in contrast, regulates
body
functions
by
releasing
chemical
messengers called hormones (to urge on or
to set in motion) into the bloodstream for

Introduction to the endocrine

system:
Comparison of the endocrine and
nervous
Together, the
nervous systems
and endocrine systems
coordinate the functions of all body systems.
Compare the types of effectors the two
systems utilize to maintain homeostasis.
The nervous system causes muscles to
contract and glands to secrete.
The endocrine system regulates metabolic
activities, growth and development, and

Introduction to the endocrine

system:
Comparison of the endocrine and
nervous
Together, the
nervous systems
and endocrine systems
coordinate the functions of all body systems.
Compare the time frame the two systems
need to accomplish their actions.
The nervous system tends to act in
milliseconds.
The endocrine system acts in seconds,
minutes, hours, weeks, months, even years,

Introduction to the endocrine

system:
Comparison of the endocrine and
nervous
Together, the
nervous systems
and endocrine systems
coordinate the functions of all body systems.
Compare how long the effects of the two
systems persist.
Nervous effects are brief;
Endocrine effects are much longer lasting.

Introduction to the endocrine

system:
Comparison of the endocrine and
nervous systems

Neuroendocrinology
the study of the
interactions between
the nervous system and
the endocrine system

Introduction to the endocrine

system:
Comparison of exocrine and
endocrine glands
Exocrine glands
Have ducts (wired)
secrete their products into ducts or directly onto
epithelial surfaces
E.g. sweat gland
Endocrine glands
ductless (wireless)
secrete the products called hormones, into the
extracellular fluid around the secretory cells. The

Introduction to the endocrine

system:
Which organs are endocrine
There are a number of specific organs
only?
whose sole function is endocrine:
Pituitary gland
Thyroid gland
Parathyroid glands (4)
Adrenal glands (2)
Pineal gland
Thymus gland

Introduction to the endocrine

system:
Name other organs that have
some endocrine function
Pancreas
Gonads
Testes
Ovary
Stomach
Small intestine
Kidneys
Heart

Endocrine glands

Hormones
chemicals
secreted
by
the
endocrine
system that diffuses
from the interstitial
fluid
into
the
bloodstream
and
eventually
act
on
target cells

Introduction to the endocrine

system:
WhatHORMONES:
HORMONE
is an endocrineI.target
cell?
Although a givenRECEPTORS
hormone travels throughout the body

in the blood and is seen by all cells of the body, it only

affects specific cells called target cells.
Like neurotransmitters, hormones influence their target
cells by chemically combining to protein receptors on
the target cell surface.
Only target cells for a particular hormone bear
receptors for that hormone, bind to it, and
respond to it.
Receptors, like other cellular proteins, are constantly
synthesized and broken down as part of routine cellular

Introduction to the endocrine

system:
I. HORMONE
What HORMONES:
is down-regulation
of a target cells
hormone receptors?
RECEPTORS

Down-regulation occurs when the hormone is

present in excess and the cell reduces the number of
available receptors for it. This causes a decrease in
cellular responsiveness to the hormone.
What is up-regulation of a target cells hormone
receptors?
Up-regulation occurs when the hormone is present in
less than normal amounts and the cell increases the
number of available receptors for it. This causes an

Introduction to the endocrine

system:

Define each of the following

HORMONES:
II. CIRCULATING AND LOCAL
Circulating hormones
HORMONES
Hormones that pass
into the blood and act on distant

target cells are called circulating hormones or

endocrines.
Local hormones
Hormones that act on target cells close to their site of
release are called local hormones. They are further
subdivided into either paracrine or autocrine.
Paracrine hormones
Paracrines are local hormones that act on neighboring
cells.
Autocrine hormones

Endocrine Glands:
HYPOTHALAMUS AND PITUITARY GLAND
(HYPOPHYSIS)
What is the role of the hypothalamus in
endocrine control?
The hypothalamus serves as the master control for
many of the hormones secreted by the endocrine
system, and serves as the major integrator between
the nervous and endocrine systems. In particular, the
hypothalamus controls the secretions of the pituitary
gland, also known as the hypophysis (in Greek).
What is the anatomical relationship between
the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus?
The pituitary gland is a pea-sized organ lying within
the sella turcica of the sphenoid bone. It is suspended

HYPOTHALAMIC HORMONES

Endocrine Glands:
PITUITARY GLAND (HYPOPHYSIS)
Describe the pituitary gland by describing its
embryologic formation.
The pituitary gland has two anatomically and
functionally distinct portions due to its embryological
formation.
The anterior pituitary gland (adenohypophysis)
(about 75% of the total gland) is derived from an
outpouching of the roof of the developing mouth, called
Rathkes pouch.
Rathkes pouch breaks off from the mouth and

Endocrine Glands:
PITUITARY GLAND (HYPOPHYSIS)
Describe the pituitary gland by describing its
embryologic formation.
The
posterior
pituitary
gland
(neurohypophysis) forms as an outgrowth of the base of the
hypothalamus and remains attached to it via the infundibulum.
The posterior pituitary gland contains axons and axon terminals
of about 5,000 neurons whose cell bodies are located in nuclei in
the hypothalamus.
The nerve fibers that terminate in the posterior pituitary gland
are associated with neuroglial-like support cells called pituicytes,
which are secretory.
Regardless of origin, both the anterior and posterior pituitary

Endocrine Glands:
Anterior pituitary gland
(adenohypophysis)

What is
adeno?
glandular
many cell types
many hormones

***Hypophysis
is the master
gland of the
endocrine
system; located
at the base of
the brain.

Endocrine Glands:
Anterior pituitary gland
(adenohypophysis)
Name the seven hormones secreted by
the anterior pituitary gland.
1. growth hormone (GH)/somatotropin
2. thyroid-stimulating
hormone
(TSH)/thyrotropin
3. follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
4. luteinizing hormone (LH)/lutropin
5. prolactin (PRL)
6. adrenocorticotropic
hormone
(ACTH)/corticotropin

Endocrine Glands:
Anterior pituitary gland
(adenohypophysis)
Tropic hormones (tropins) are those
hormones that influence other endocrine
glands to secrete their hormone (s).
Hormones that act on
Name them.
body tissues (nonFSH
tropic hormones)
LH
Growth hormone (GH)
TSH
Prolactin hormone
ACTH
(PRL)

Endocrine Glands:
Posterior pituitary gland
(neurohypophysis)
Describe the posterior pituitary gland and
the
way
it
is
controlled
by
the
hypothalamus.
The posterior pituitary gland (neurohypophysis), in a
strict sense, is not an endocrine organ at all since the
hormones released from the gland are actually
synthesized by neurons in the hypothalamus.
In the axon terminals of the neurons that pass down
the infundibulum and terminate among the pituicytes
are synaptic vesicles filled with one of two hormones:
oxytocin
and
antidiuretic
hormone

Endocrine Glands:
Posterior pituitary gland
(neurohypophysis)
Describe the posterior pituitary gland and
the
way
it
is
controlled
by
the
hypothalamus.
An action potential in one of these neurons
causes the release of the hormone into the
extracellular fluid of the posterior pituitary,
where it will diffuse into the blood for
distribution throughout the body.
These axons passing from the hypothalamus
are collected together as the hypothalamo-

OXYTOCIN
What are the functions of oxytocin?
Oxytocin stimulates the contraction of
uterine smooth muscle during delivery of the
baby and placenta.
After birth, oxytocin stimulates contraction of
the myoepithelial cells of the mammary
glands, causing milk ejection (letdown) from
the How
breast.
is
What is the role
oxytocin
secretion
controlled?

of oxytocin in
males and
nonpregnant
females?

ANTIDIURETIC HORMONE (ADH)

What is an antidiuretic?
An antidiuretic is any chemical substance that
prevents excessive urine formation.
What are the functions of ADH?
The principal effect of ADH is to cause the
kidneys to remove water from the forming urine
and return it to the blood, thus conserving it.
ADH also causes decreased perspiration and
vasoconstriction of blood vessels. All efforts of
ADH are related to maintaining normal blood

ANTIDIURETIC HORMONE (ADH)

How is
ADH
secretion
controlled
?

What is
diabetes
insipidus
?

Pituitary gland

Endocrine Glands:
PINEAL GLAND
Located at the posterior EPITHALAMUS
Secreted hormone:
Melatonin
Antioxidant effect
Biology clock
Dimethyltryptamine
(speculated role) mystical and
dream experiences

Endocrine Glands:
THYROID GLAND
Thyroid
cartilage

Endocrine Glands:
THYROID GLAND
Describe the thyroid gland.
The thyroid gland is located just below
the larynx in the anterior neck, consisting
of a right and left lateral lobe, and a
central portion called the isthmus.
The gland itself consists of microscopic
spherical sacs or follicles formed by the
follicular cells.

Endocrine Glands:
THYROID GLAND
Name the hormones secreted by the
follicular cells.
Follicular cells secrete two hormones that are
closely
related
in
coordinating
basal
metabolic rate:
triiodothyronine (T3), with three iodine
atoms, and
tetraiodothyronine (T4 or thyroxine), with

Endocrine Glands:
THYROID GLAND
What are parafollicular cells?
The second major cell population of the
thyroid gland.
Between the follicles, lying in small nests,
are the parafollicular (C) cells that secrete
the hormone calcitonin. Calcitonin works
antagonistically with parathyroid hormone
(PTH) to maintain normal blood calcium

Endocrine Glands:
THYROID GLAND
Describe the role of calcitonin in calcium
homeostasis.
The C-cells have receptors that monitor
extracellular fluid calcium concentration. They
are stimulated to secrete calcitonin when
hyperglycemia occurs.
Calcitonin works to decrease serum calcium
by:
inhibiting osteoclasts

Endocrine Glands:
THYROID GLAND

Endocrine Glands:
PARATHYROID GLANDS

Endocrine Glands:
PARATHYROID GLANDS
Describe the parathyroid glands and the
role of parathyroid hormone (PTH) in
calcium homeostasis.
There are four parathyroid glands embedded
into the posterior surface of the thyroid gland.
The glands consist of two cell types:
chief cells that secrete parathyroid
hormone (PTH)
oxyphil cells function unknown

Endocrine Glands:
PARATHYROID GLANDS
Describe the parathyroid glands and the role of
parathyroid
hormone
(PTH)
in
calcium
homeostasis.
PTH works antagonistically with calcitonin to
regulate the blood concentration of calcium and is
secreted by chief cells under conditions of
hypocalcemia.
PTH works to increase blood calcium levels by:
activating osteoclasts
increasing calcium reabsorption by the kidneys

Endocrine
Glands:
THYMUS
located
GLAND
above the
heart
shrinks with age
secretes thymosins
promotes
development of certain
lymphocytes
important in role of

Endocrine Glands:
ADRENAL GLANDS

Endocrine Glands:
ADRENAL GLANDS
Describe the adrenal glands.
The paired adrenal (suprarenal) glands, each
lying just superior to each kidney, are
structurally and functionally divided into two
separate glands: the adrenal cortex and the
adrenal medulla.

What are steroids?

All hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex are
called steroid hormones, lipid molecules whose

Endocrine Glands:
ADRENAL GLANDS: I. MEDULLA
Describe the adrenal medulla and its
hormones.
The adrenal medulla, the inner portion of the
gland, consists of chromaffin cells that secrete
the
catecholamines
epinephrine
and
norepinephrine.
These cells receive direct innervation from
sympathetic preganglionic neurons.
In
response, they secrete these catecholamines

Endocrine Glands:
ADRENAL GLANDS: I. MEDULLA

Endocrine Glands:
ADRENAL GLANDS: II. CORTEX
The adrenal cortex is subdivided into
three zones, each of which has a different
cellular arrangement and secretes a
different class of steroids.
Mineralocorticoids
Glucocorticoids
Gonadocorticoids

Endocrine Glands:
ADRENAL GLANDS: II. CORTEX
What are the mineralocorticoids?
The mineralocorticoids are the class of
steroids produced by the outermost zone of the
adrenal cortex, the zona glomerulosa.
Aldosterone is the primary mineralocorticoid
and, like all the steroids of this class, work to
control
water
and
electrolyte
balance,
particularly
by
controlling
sodium
and
potassium concentrations.

Endocrine Glands:
ADRENAL GLANDS: II. CORTEX
What are the mineralocorticoids?
Under
normal
conditions,
aldosterone
secretion is in response to high potassium ion
concentration in the extracellular fluid.
Aldosterone stimulates kidney cells to lose
potassium ions into the forming urine, while at
the same time conserving sodium ions and, by
osmosis, water.

Endocrine Glands:
ADRENAL GLANDS: II. CORTEX
What are glucocorticoids? What controls their
secretion?
The glucocorticoids are the class of steroids produced
by the middle zone of the adrenal cortex, the zona
fasciculate.
The predominant glucocorticoids are
hydrocortisone, cortisone, and corticosterone.
Glucocorticoids are secreted in response to ACTH from
the anterior pituitary, which is controlled by
corticotropic-RF from the hypothalamus.
C-RF secretion is in response to stress. Reduction in

Endocrine Glands:
ADRENAL GLANDS: II. CORTEX
Briefly describe the gonadocorticoids.
The gonadocorticoids are the class of steroids
produced by the innermost zone of the adrenal
cortex, the zona reticularis. These steroids are the
male androgens and the female estrogens.
During reproductive left, the concentration of
these hormones from the adrenal cortex is of little
importance because of gonadal secretion. Their
secretion during development, childhood, and after
menopause does contribute to normal metabolism.

Endocrine Glands:
ADRENAL GLANDS: II. CORTEX

Endocrine Glands:
PANCREAS

Endocrine Glands:
PANCREAS
Describe the pancreas.
The pancreas is both an exocrine organ
related to digestion and an endocrine gland.
It is a flattened organ located posterior
and just inferior to the stomach.
Scattered throughout the exocrine portion
of the gland are small islands of cells called
the islets of Langerhans.

Endocrine Glands:
PANCREAS
Describe the cell types of the islets
of Langerhans?
Islets are composed of four cell types:
alpha cells that secrete glucagon
beta cells that secrete insulin
delta cells that secrete somatomedin
(GH-IF)

Endocrine Glands:
PANCREAS

Endocrine Glands:
GONADS: I. OVARY
Composed of
ovarian follicles
(sac-like
structures)
Structure of an
ovarian
follicle
Oocyte
Follicular cells

Endocrine Glands:
GONADS: I. OVARY
Secreted hormone:
Progesterone
Support pregnancy
Anti-inflamatory effect
Oestrogen (mainly oestradiol)
Promote formation of female secondary
sex characteristics, coagulation, fluid
balance
Androstenedione
Substrate for oestrogen

Endocrine Glands:
GONADS: I. OVARY

Endocrine
Glands:
GONADS: II.
TESTES

Coverings of the testes:

Tunica albuginea
capsule that surrounds
each testis
Septa extensions of
the capsule that
extend into the testis
and divide it into
lobules

Endocrine Glands:
GONADS: II. TESTES
Secreted hormone:
Androgens (chiefly testosterone) from
Leydig cells
growth of muscle mass, increased bone
density, growth and strength
Maturation of sex organs, promote
formation
of
male
secondary
sex
characteristics
Estradiol from Sertoli cells
Prevent apoptosis of germ cells

Endocrine Glands:
Life span changes
endocrine glands decrease in size
muscular strength decreases as GH levels
decrease
ADH levels increase due to slower break down
in liver and kidneys
calcitonin levels decrease; increase risk of
osteoporosis
PTH level changes contribute to risk of
osteoporosis
insulin resistance may develop

Mankind!
Mankind!
You
Youare
arethe
thepoor
poorin
inneed
needof
of
God
Godwhereas
whereasGod
Godisisthe
theRich
Rich
Beyond
Need,
the
Beyond Need, the
Praiseworthy.
Praiseworthy.
(Qur'an,
(Qur'an,35:
35:15)
15)